Why This Resume Works
450 linear feet and 85 finding aids show exactly how much material you can handle. Archival hiring is volume-sensitive.
Digitization, born-digital processing, and EAD encoding show you work across both physical and digital archives.
200% increase in online access proves you are making collections available, not just processing them into storage.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
Summary
Lead with processing volume and digitization output. These are the primary productivity metrics for archivists.
Skills
Include archival standards (DACS, EAD, Dublin Core) and platforms (ArchivesSpace, Archivematica). These are mandatory ATS keywords.
Experience
Quantify linear feet processed, finding aids created, items digitized, and research inquiries answered.
Education
An MLIS or MSI with an archives concentration from an ALA-accredited program is the standard credential.
Key Skills for Archivist Resumes
Based on analysis of thousands of job postings, these are the most frequently required skills:
Common Mistakes on Archivist Resumes
- ⚠No processing metrics - Linear feet processed and finding aids created are the baseline metrics. Without them, your output is invisible.
- ⚠Ignoring digital preservation - Born-digital processing and digitization are increasingly central to the field. Show your competence in both.
- ⚠Not naming archival standards - DACS, EAD, Dublin Core, and METS are the professional vocabulary. If they are missing, you look inexperienced.
- ⚠Forgetting reference and access work - Archivists serve researchers. Include inquiry volumes and turnaround times to show your service orientation.
- ⚠No mention of outreach or exhibits - Modern archives advocate for their collections through exhibits and public programming. Include these if you have done them.
How to Write an Archivist Resume That Gets Interviews
A strong resume focuses on measurable outcomes, not job duties. Show what you accomplished in each role, using specific numbers and results that prove your value to the next employer.
Replace "Responsible for" with "Led," "Built," "Reduced," or "Delivered." Action verbs show initiative and ownership.
Revenue generated, costs saved, time reduced, team size managed, or customers served. Numbers make abstract accomplishments concrete.
Read the job description and mirror their exact keywords and phrases. ATS systems match your resume against the posting, and close matches score higher.
Single column, standard fonts, clear section headers, and no tables or graphics. A clean format ensures both ATS parsers and human reviewers can scan your resume quickly.